I. o ‧ pen ‧ ing 1 S3 /ˈəʊp ə nɪŋ $ ˈoʊ-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : the open, ↑ opener , ↑ opening , ↑ openness ; adjective : ↑ open , ↑ opening , ↑ unopened ; verb : ↑ open ; adverb : ↑ openly ]
1 . [countable] the time when a new building, road etc is used for the first time, or when a public event begins, especially when it involves a special ceremony
opening of
the official opening of the new theatre
the opening of the Cannes film festival
2 . [countable] a hole or space in something
opening in
a narrow opening in the fence
3 . [countable usually singular] the beginning or first part of something
opening of
at the opening of the trial
4 . [countable] a job that is available:
There are very few openings in scientific research.
5 . [countable] a chance for someone to do or say something
opening for
His question left an opening for me to say exactly what I thought.
6 . [uncountable] when something opens, or is opened
opening of
I was startled by the sudden opening of the door.
II. opening 2 BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: noun : the open, ↑ opener , ↑ opening , ↑ openness ; adjective : ↑ open , ↑ opening , ↑ unopened ; verb : ↑ open ; adverb : ↑ openly ]
first or beginning:
the opening match of the season
the opening chapter of the book
the chairman’s opening remarks